What skills to develop?

[sisk]

Here in Kansas there are no licensing requirements for locksmiths beyond the same type of business license any other business owner needs. That being the case I'm curious what skills are needed beyond the obvious lock picking and rekeying and such.

I'm probably not ever going to actually go into the business, but I'm trying to build my skills as if I were because job security for anyone whose paycheck comes out of the Kansas state budget (like mine) is practically non-existent. I figure if one of the perpetually repeating rounds of budget cuts hits my job it would be nice to have the skills to immediately start bringing in a new income. With only two locksmiths within 50 miles and me getting into locksport anyway this seems like a good way to do that.

And for the record, yes I realize it's going to take time to build these skills and it would probably be quicker to sign up for a course. But I like to self teach even if it's a bit slower.

[bioggy]

I am UK based I started by SPP and with a GOSO set.

As I earned money bit by bit and built stock up, I explored other methods such as bumping etc.

I found raking to be the utmost best thing in the world! but thats me and American locks are different.

The only skill I use is my mortice picking and my fittings skills basic carpentry etc.

If you are going to give a security assessment I would recommend watching crime shows there was one in the UK where he went around their house broke in with their permission the guy who done it was called Dom but anyway he was showing where the flaws are then goes back and secures the house.

Also being a mild dilinquent in my youth helps to :p

[sisk]

If you are going to give a security assessment I would recommend watching crime shows there was one in the UK where he went around their house broke in with their permission the guy who done it was called Dom but anyway he was showing where the flaws are then goes back and secures the house.

I've done similar work. Not full time, mind you (not enough demand for it around here), but I've done some network pen testing. I originally got into lock picking as yet another tool in my pen testing bag. Gaining access to the client's networking equipment is a real quick way to demonstrate vulnerabilities usually. But I'm finding locks to be a lot more interesting than I realized they were.

[bioggy]

locks are the best, there is nothing like going out and being surprised by finding a weird lock and learning how it works!

Security is always a good thing to advise people on. One customer of mine, wanted a mortice lock fitted ona wood door in the house so she could leave her front door unlocked and let people in. I advised her that she should just give them a key and her door has 8 glass panes in it so they would just smash them to get in and the door wasn't made for security just convenience.

A little knowledge goes far :p